Letter: Punish guilty, not innocent

Sunday

“Emotion - Any strong feeling of joy, sorrow, reverence, hate or love, arising subjectively rather than through conscious mental effort.

Rational – Having or exercising the ability to reason.

Socialism – A social system in which the producers possess both political power and the mans of producing and distributing goods.

I watched as David Hogg, a student at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, stated, “this is our generation” in his efforts to eliminate a major portion of everyone’s 2nd Amendment Rights. Mr. Hogg’s generation exists, and enjoys extensive Rights, because previous generations made sacrifices. Mr. Hogg’s Rights, indeed, everyone’s Rights, are no more, nor no less, important than the Rights of those that preceded or follows him. Whether or not he realizes it, during his highly emotional state, Mr. Hogg is advocating a long established liberal socialist goal – elimination of private ownership of guns. Once 2d Amendment Rights have been infringed upon, it will take decades, if ever, to restore them. Why do liberal socialists want guns confiscated, because it will eliminate any means of resistance when a rogue government tries to impose socialism.

Supposedly, there have been calls to tear down the high school. Those espousing said call are operating on pure emotion and have not considered the rational fact that the facility will have to be replaced at taxpayer expense.

There seems to be a misconception by, liberals and the uninformed, that banning “assault weapons” will solve the problem – that has been unsuccessfully tried! More people are killed with pistols than “assault weapons”. What is, and who defines, said “assault weapons”? What next, ban all pistols, all knives, vehicles, anything that has been used to kill someone?

Schools can be protected without any additional “knee jerk” laws. How? Require full compliance and enforcement with existing laws. Treat schools to the same level of security as our courthouses, police stations, airports and other institutions currently receive. What is required: Adequately trained and armed guards and select staff, centralized, guarded screening entry points, like the aforesaid institutions. Require medical personnel, school officials and all others, under penalty of law, report suspected mentally challenged people to appropriate authorities. Require mandatory psychological evaluations. Give LE the required resources to immediately investigate all reported potential threats and hold LE accountable.

If an individual exhibits mental instability, LE should immediately confiscate all weapons to which the individual may have access. Obviously, the accused individual should have an opportunity for judicial review of his/her case – but confiscate the weapons until the case has been properly adjudicated! And, immediately return all weapons if allegations are unsubstantiated.

Removing the 2nd Amendment Rights of a person leaves that person, their loved ones and friends, and everyone else at the mercy of criminals, mentally challenged individuals and any potentially rogue (domestic) government. Fearing a rogue government, our Founding Fathers created the 2nd Amendment. Further, all military and government individuals must take an oath to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, both foreign and domestic)”.

Eddie C. Quinn, Jacksonville

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